Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation

Innovate to Grow is a free 10-week online, self-paced learning program for small-to medium-sized enterprises working on food innovation in Australia.

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
• Gaining industry insights, hearing from experts, researchers and your mentor
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network

Program Alumni

'[Innovate to Grow] really focused me on what I needed to concentrate on for growing our business in the next 12 months. It also provided me with lots of practical experiences of others that I learned from.'

— Joshua Poke, Tasmanian Oyster Company

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week prior to workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session and pre-workshop videos and materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately three to four hours

Week 1: Workshop (Official start date 12 September 2024, approximately 4.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately 4.5 hours. 

Week 2-10: Self-paced innovation program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• A final questionnaire is required at completion.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Mentor: You will be provided with a mentor from CSIRO or a university to assist you with understanding the program deliverables and connecting you to a relevant specialist.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open any SMEs based and operating in Australia who are working on food innovation in any of these sub-sectors: 

• Beverage manufacturing
• Food production
• Traditional and complimentary proteins
• Bio-manufacturing including precision fermentation
• Sustainable processing
• Value-adding processes
• Other

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
• A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have a food and beverage innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: Sole traders and partnerships are currently not eligible for the program. Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations:

• Any other information provided to support your application
• Have a clear need to develop your knowledge and skills in R&D

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ's.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation flyer PDF (1 MB)
• Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation flyer - accessible text TXT (3 KB)